Extension table



Sept 24, 1935. 1 w. LAWRENCE EXTENSION TABLE Filed July l0, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l I I Ll E f 24, 1935. L.. w. LAWRENCE 2,015,599

EXTENSON TABLE Filed July 1o, 1953 5 sheets-sheet 2 Leo W LnwRE/vca gem 24, 1935- L. W. LAWRENCE 250159599 f EXTENSION TABLE Filed July l0, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 24, 1935 .UNETISD- STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to an extension table structure and more especially to an extension table having the extension structure ci all-metal construction which prevents atmospheric conditions from interfering with the dimensions of the parts, therefore, insuring ease of operation at all times.

It is an object of this invention to provide extension hardware for extension tabies comprising a pair of channelmembers almost closed at their top portions, in which the extension structure is adapted to operate, with means for securing the outer top portions of the table to the extension structure, said table also having foldable leaves therein which can be folded to a position beneath the top sections, whereby the top sections can be moved against each other when desired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an extension structure for tables having means ior clamping the extended top sections in position, as Well as clamping'vthe top sections in position when the same are moved towards each other.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an extension table having channel bars provided .with other channel bars telescopically mounted therein for supporting the top sections of a table.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an isometric view of my extension table;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the extension structure showing the table top and supporting legs in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional View taken along the line 3 3 in Figure 2 with parts omitted;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 1 4 in Figure 2 showing the means for clamping the extended top sections in different positions;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 5 5 in Figure 2; Y

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 6 5 in Figure 2 Figure 7 is a sectional detail View taken along the line l-l in Figure 2 which shows means for retarding the outward movement of the extended top sections;

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the telescopic feature of the supporting channels; n

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the central portion of the extension assembly, showing one of the pairs belonging to each table;

Figure l0 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the supporting channels and showing a modified form of the structure displacing (Cl. 311--73L Figure 131s a. detail of the manner in which the I10 center leaves of the table are secured to each other.

l Figure 14 is a sectional View taken along the line I 4-I4 in Figure 2 showing a bracket mounted in the end of an extension channel With the 15 table top secured to said bracket.

Referring more specifically to the drawings the numeral i9 indicates the legs of the table having a suitable frame work .l I on the upperend thereof,

on which frame Work is mounted members I2 for 20 supporting the channel bars I3 and i4. At each end of the channel bars i3 and i4 another channel bar I5 is slidably mounted therein, each end of the channel bars I3 and I 4 having a fitting i5 thereon in which is mounted a roller il adapted to 25 support the extension channel I5.v These extension channels I5 have suitable H-shaped members l 8 slidably mounted therein which are adapted to be secured to the-lowerside of the table leaves IQ,

and 29. These H-shaped members ,i8 are illus- 30 trated in Figures 9 and 14 and theapproximate edges of the four center members I8 have the down-turned lips 2aadapted to support the folding leaves when in extended position, which leaves will be presently described. These members I8 35 have downwardly and outwardly projecting portions 22 and 23 in which is mounted a roller 24 adapted to roll along the bottom of the channel bar I3, I4 or I5 asthe case may be. Channel members I3 and I4 have the inturned upper portions 4,0

lia and 3b, Ida and llb, respectively, and these, co-operating with the racks 24, prevent upward movement of the H-shaped members E8. Similar inturned upper flanges I'a and ib areprovided on channel members I5. The outwardly project- 45 ing portions 22 and 23 prevent upward movement of the brackets and the table top sections carried thereby. The four extension channels l5 are telescopically mounted in the ends of channels i3 and I4 and may be pushed inwardly or pulled to 50 y an extended position according to the amount the table is desired to be extended. It is evident that one of downwardlyextending fascia members I9 or 29 will contact the ends of channels l5 to push v the channels inwardly when the table top `I9 or 55,'

2i) is closed While the rollers 24 in the outer brackets I8 will Contact', the closed ends of the channels I5 and pull the same Aoutwardly when the table leaf I 9 or 20 is extended. When the rollers 24 are contacting the closed ends of chan- 60` nels I5 (Fig. 14) there is a substantial distance between fascia member I9 or 26 and the end of these channels and the table top i9 or 26 will have to be moved inwardly this distance before the members I5 are moved by the table top; consequently, the roller 24 has to roll in the channel I5 until member I9 or 26 contacts the ends of the channels or until the rollers contact the closed ends when the tops are being extended.'

To the innermost or center members I8, having the projection 26a thereon, are secured, pivotally or xed, a rack member 23a which meshes with the opposed sides of pinion 25, rotatably mounted on an inverted U-shaped supporting member 26 secured in the bottom portion of the channel member I3 or I4. A pin 21 is mounted in said support 26 and not only supports pinion 25 but also a washer 28 which is adapted to press against the racks 24a to prevent rattling and undue vibration of same. The proximate edges of extension top section 26 has pins 36 therein which are adapted to it in suitable holes 3! in the proximate edge of the other top section I9, or in suitable holes in the foldable leaves, said foldable leaves also being i provided with such an arrangement whereby the parts are held securely .in position when unfolded and ready for use.

Transverse members 35, 36 and 31 are provided,

and in members 36 and 31 is mounted a bell crank 38 to which is pivoted as at 39 a foldable leaf 96,

said foldable leaf I6 being divided into sections 46a and 46h and hinged together as at il by means of a hinge which is best illustrated in Figure I3 and which is embedded in the ends of the leaves.

.. Member 42 has a pin 113 working in a slot '36 in a tting d5 embedded in portion 96a whereas member 46 is pivoted in fitting 45 as at 41 and also pivoted to member 62 as at 93. This member I6 has a pin 159 working in slot 59 in fitting 5I embedded in portion #16h and one end of member S2 is also pivoted in fitting 5I as at 5 Ia. In Figure 5 the folding leaf 46 is shown in open position whereas in Figure 6 a similar leaf 56 is shown in folded position, which is pivotally mounted on bell crank 1 5 Ib which in turn is pivotally secured to supports ed in brackets 65, 65a and 66 secured to the frame work of the table. The upper ends of portions 62 and 63 of rod 64 are adapted to engage projections 61 and 66 on the top sections 26 and i9 respectively when the table is in extended position and both leaves 46 and 56 are unfolded and in position. Suitable members 56 aresecured to transverse member 36 and serve as supports for the leaves 46 and 56 and cause the upper surface of said leaves to be flush top with the extended i top sections I9 and 26 when the table is in an extended position. When both leaves are left in folded position and the two top sections 29 and I9 are moved to cause their proximate edges to fit against each other then the portions 62 and 63 are adapted to engage lugs 69 and 19 of top sections 26 and I9 respectively, to hold the leaves in position. In case leaf 46 was left folded and leaf 56 was unfolded then of course portion 62 would engage projection 69 whereas portion 63 would engage projection 68 and vice versa. The

portion 62 has pivotally connected thereto a rod 12 which extends laterally and is. suitably and slidably mounted in the frame work of the table and extends to near the outer side of the table where it has a handle 1,3 thereon so that when seized 5 by the operator and pulled toward thel operator the arms 62 and 63 will be moved toward the operator and caused to move out of the path of the lugs 61 to 16 inclusive and whereas when it is pushed back to its position in Figure 2 is will en- 10 gage said lugs and hold the parts of the table in adjusted position.

Secured to transverse member 35 is a suitable Z-bar 33 which serves as a stop for the top sections IS and 26 when the angle member 32, which 15 is secured to the lower side of the top section I9 engages Z-bar 33. This prevents top sections I9 and 29 from spreading toofar apart when the leaves I6 and 56 are being folded or unfolded.

Suitable supporting straps 55 and 56 are se- 29 cured between channel members I3 and I4 which serve as a support for leaves 66 and 59 respectively. These straps 55 and 56 have inclined surfaces 55a and 56a which guide the leaves 46a and 56a, as the case may be, to their proper position when said leaves are being folded or unfolded.

Figure l0 shows a modified form of the center portion of the supporting members in which suitable brackets 15 and 16 are used instead of the brackets I8 as shown in Figure 9. 15 and 'I6 have downwardly projecting portions 13 between which are mounted suitable rollers 19. Lugs 86 and 8l project downwardly from the lower side of brackets 15 and 'I6 and have threadably mounted therein a threaded rod 82, said rod being rotatably mounted in bearings 64 and 85 secured to the inside of channel member I4. It can be seen that the right hand portion of rod 82 has right hand threads thereon whereas the left hand portion has left hand threads, therefore 40 when either top section I9 or 26 is moved in one direction the other top section will move in an' opposite direction.

Figures l1 and l2 show still another modified form in which the end top sections of the table 45 are movable independently of each other. In this form the top sections I9 and 26 are secured to suitable brackets 81 and 86 which, in turn, are secured to telescoped members 89 and 96 respectively. These members 39 and 90 are slidably 50 mounted in the ends of channel III and are adapted to move with the top sections I9 and 26. Suitable stops 92, 93 and 94 are secured in the lower portion of member I4 to limit the movement of the telescoped members 89 and 96 since each 55 member has a downward projection 95 which engages one of these stops when the limit of the movement has been reached.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specic terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the 65 appended claims.

I claim:

1. An extension table having a framework, a pair of parallel spaced channel members, U- shaped in cross-section and having their upper edges inturned to partially close the open side thereof, a bracket mounted for movement in the end portions of each of the channel members. the brackets having an enlarged portion on the lower portion thereof which is larger than the open side l 'I'hese brackets 30 of the channel members, a roller mounted in the lower portion of each of said brackets, means for securing a pair of said brackets to a portion of the table top, each of said brackets having secured thereto an extended rack member extending along the inner sidewalls of the channel members and beneath the inturned upper edges, a pinion mounted in said channel members and having engagement with a pair of said racks.

2. An extension table having an extensible top portion, a framework, a pair of channel members, U-shaped in cross section, a pair of brackets mounted in each end of each channel member for longitudinal movement therein, a top section secured to the brackets in one end of the channel members, another top section secured to the brackets in the other ends of the channel members, a roller on the lower portion of each bracket for supporting the bracket for movement in said channel members, a rack secured to the inner brackets and extending towards and past the central portion of the channel members, a pinion mounted in said channel members for engagement with said racks, and a disk mounted on said pinion for pressing against said rack members for guiding and supporting the same.

3. An extension table having a framework, a pair of parallel channel members U-shaped in cross-section and having their upper open portion restricted and being disposed on said framework, a support telescopically mounted in each end of each channel member, each support being U- shaped in cross-section and having its upper open portion restricted, a bracket mounted for movement in each support, each bracket having a n lower portion larger than the restricted opening in the channel members and said supports, a second bracket mounted for movement in each end of the channel members, a table top section for each pair of supports and means for securing a top section to the brackets in the supports and the brackets in the channel members.

4. An extension table having a framework, a pair of parallel channel members disposed on said framework, a support telescopically mounted in each end of each channel member, a bracket mounted for movement in each support, a second bracket mounted for movement in each end of the channel members, a table top section for each pair of supports, means for securing a top section to the brackets in the supports and the brackets in the channel members, and interconnecting means between the top sections for causing the movement imparted to one top section to cause reverse movement of the other top section.

5. An extension table having a framework, a pair of parallel channel members disposed on said framework, a support telescopically mounted in each end of each channel member, a bracket mounted for movement in each support, a second bracket mounted for movement in each end of the channel members, a table top section for each pair of supports, means for securing a top section to the brackets in the supports and the brackets in the channel members, a rack secured to each of the inner brackets mounted in the channel members and extending along the inner sidewalls of the channel members past each other, a pinion xedly supported by each channel member for rotation andengaging the racks whereby movement imparted to one rack will causereverse movement of the other rack and the top section carried thereby.

6. An extension table comprising two` oppositely slidable outwardly movable top sections, a pair of oppositely slidable rack members secured to the top sections, a pair of parallel channel members in which the rack members are adapted to have movement, a pinion mounted in each channel 10 member for engagement with a pair of said rack members and a washer mounted to rotate with said pinion and to press said rack members against the sidewalls of said channel members.

7. An extension table comprising .two oppo- 15 sitely slidable outwardly movable top sections, a pair of parallel channel members, a pair of brackets secured to the lower side of each top section, a roller on each bracket adapted to rest on the bottom of each channel member, a rack 20 pivotally secured to each bracket and extending along one of the sidewalls of the channel members and a pinion mounted in each channel member being adapted to be engaged on opposite sides by a pair of said racks. 25

8. An extension table having two oppositely slidable top sections, a pair of channel bars, U- shaped in cross section, and having their sidewalls turned inwardly toward each other partially closing the channel, a plurality of brackets 30 to which the top sections are secured, each bracket having an enlarged lower portion provided with a roller resting on the bottom of the channel bars,

a pinion mounted in each channel bar and a rack pivotally secured to each of a pair of brackets on opposed top sections and projecting along the inner sidewalls of the channel members and engaging opposite sides of said pinions.

9. An extension table having two oppositely slidable top sections, a pair of channel bars, U- shaped in cross section, and having their sidewalls turned inwardly towards each other partially closing the channel, a plurality of brackets to which the top sections are secured, each bracket having an enlarged lower portion provided with a roller resting on the bottom of the channel bars, a pinion mounted in each channel bar, a rack pivotally secured to each of a pair of brackets on opposed top sections and projecting along the inner sidewalls of the channel members beneath the inturned sidewalls engaging opposite sides of said pinions, and a washer mounted for rotation with each of said pinions and being adapted to press the racks against the sidewalls of the channel bars.

10. An extension table havingan extensible top portion, a framework, a pair of channel members, U-shaped in cross section, and supported by the framework, a bracket mounted for movement in each end of each channel member, a top portion secured to the brackets in each end of the channel members, a roller on the lower portion of each bracket, a .rack pivotally secured to each of the brackets and extending past each other inside the channel members, and a pinion mounted in said channel members for engagement with said racks whereby when movement is imparted to one top portion the other top portion will be moved in areverse direction.

LEO W. LAWRENCE. 

